Folding table



F. CHALFANT FOLDING TABLE' Filed May 25, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Apri 21, 1931.

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ATTORNEY.

April 21, 1931. F1 CHALFANT 1,801,330

FOLDING TABLE IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES FRANK CHALFANT, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA FOLDING TABLE Application filed May 23,

The invention relates to folding tables designed particularly for undertakers and embalniers.

The object of the invention is to provide .5f a novel and simple table that will fold up in small compass for transportation or storage, and which when set up forms a highly etlicient table upon which an undertaker may embalm an infant and thereafter use it as a 10 bier for the corpse.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the tablel in set-up condition for embalming purposes; 15 Fig. 2 a bottom plan view of the same; Fig. 3 an end view of the same; Fig. 4 a bottom plan view of the collapsed table and Fig. 5 a detail view of the mounting of one of the two transversely slidable folding legs.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention 1 represents the top of the table, preferably rectangular in shape, leaves 2, 3, 4 and 5 being hinged to the four edges of the top respectively by the double hinges 6 so that each of said leaves may be swung to any point between an upright position and a depending position. Slides 7 and 8 are suitably mounted on the under side of the top to support the end leaves 3 and 5 in horizontal position, and slides 9 and 10 support the side leaves in horizontal position. One of the side leaves 2 carries a link 11 which is adapted to engage a slide 10 on the top to support the said leaf in a position above the horizontal. Each of said leaves may carry a similar link to support the same in a position above the horizontal.

Two legs 13 are hinged at 14 to the bottom side of the top 1 and they are preferably tied together by the member 131L for simultaneous movement and rigidity. These legs fold against the bottom side of the top. Each leg carries a link 15 that is pivoted to said leg and is adapted to be engaged at its free end upon a pin 16 for locking the legs in upright position.

The legs 17 and 18 at the opposite end of the top are loosely mounted on a rod 19 that is mounted in the brackets 2O secured to the 50 top 1 by the screws 21. The side wall 22 of 1927. Serial No. 193,398.

the bracket forms a stop for the leg (Fig. 5) and the wall 23, which extends but part way across the base of the bracket, forms an abutment for the opposite side of the leg when said leg is in vertical position. The open portion 24 of the latter wall permits the leg to be moved along the rod 19 and out of the bracket, when said leg is inclined as shown in Fig. 5'.

Each leg 17 and 18 carries a link 25 that ispivoted thereto and is adapted to be engaged upon a pin 26 secured to the top 1, and each said leg also carries a second link 27 that is adapted to be engaged upon a pin 28 secured to the top adjacent to the rod 19. The links 15 and 25 brace the several legs and lock them against swinging movement and the links 27 brace the legs 17 and 18 and prevent their movement along the rod 19.

To collapse the legs it is only necessary to ''i disconnect the links 15 from the pins 16 and fold the legs 18 on the hinges 14 against the under side of the top 1, disconnect the links 25 from the pins 26 and the links 27 from the pins 28, swing the legs inwardly on the rod to clear the Walls 23 of the brackets and slide the said legs along the rod toward each other until they have cleared the already folded legs 13 and then swing them onto the under side of the top. The four legs are now substantially parallel to the top and by drawing inwardly theseveral slides that support the leaves, the leaves may be turned down at right angles to the top and the hooks 29 on the leaves 2 and 4 engage in the eyes 30 on the leaves 3 and 5, so as to form a rectangular receptacle. In this collapsed form the table may be inserted into a bag or other container for transportation or storage.

When the table is set up for use in embalming a corpse the leaves will be supported in horizontal position upon which the embalmer may place his working tools and liquids. Thereafter, if so desired, he may lower the front and end leaves and incline the back leal'v upwardly and engage the link 11 on the slide 10 to support the leaf in that position. A scarf or other cover may then be draped over the table and the body laid out on the table or bier, or placed in a casket and the casket placed on the hier. The end leaves, of course, may be supported in horizontal position if that should be desirable or necessary to properly support the casket or the corpse. When all the leaves are turned to an upright position the engagement of the hooks 29 in the eyes 30 hold saidleaves in such'position and the sides form a receptaclein thezupperside of the top. The receptacle thus ornied may be used to receive the corpse Which, as in contagious cases, or Where embalnri'ngis "not done, is Wrapped in a rubber sheet With a.

selected Huid, and draperies may be placed over the table.

After the casket is placed on the table the leaves maybe raised up andlock'ed, thus con vertingrthetableznto af oorstand.

An embalrne'rs .tableconsisting of a vtope a pair'iofilegs hinged adjacent to one endv of the top and oldahle againstthe top,- a pain of U-shapedbrackets depending from the top.. adjacent to the ycorners atthe opposite end thereof, a rod secured at its opposite fendsto the 'bnacketa the opposed sides; of AtheA brackets having cutout portions through which the red extends, and-,two legs pivotally mounted on the. rod; andy independently '-slidable thereon through theffsaidaeutout -portions* into and' out of the; bracketsqrespectively, the said legs when out of' 'the' hracketsheing adapted to loe swung against theatop and betvveenV .the other folded/legs.

1 In Witness whereof Iv have hereunto` signed my, name ithis'QOth day: 0f May; 11927.

, A FRANK- ,CHALEANT 

